18th-Century Characters, Including Frederick the Great, Discussion Post 34

[cahn]

And including Emperor Joseph II!

from Derek Beales: Joseph II, Volume 2: Against the World, 1780 - 1790:

Joseph's alleged comment to Mozart about the Entführung, "Too many notes", has been taken as evidence of his ignorance. But he probably said something like, "Too beautiful for our ears, and monstrous many notes." It is always necessary to bear in mind, when appraising the emperor's remarks, his peculiar brand of humor or sarcasm. He was usually getting at someone. And he did not use the royal "we". The ears in question were those of the Viennese audience, whom he was mocking for their limited appreciation of Mozart's elaborate music.

(though not gonna lie, I think it is a LOT of notes)

Comments

Re: Karin Feuerstein-Praßer: Sophie Dorothea von Preußen

[cahn]

What makes it all so compellingly messed up is that he really did try to act like a responsible family patriarch with his siblings (see also the new education schedule once he became King)... but could not resist following the obvious role model in the long term.

Ugh, yeah. I mean, it makes perfect sense -- changing things on the surface, like encouraging education and music, but following the underlying behavior because that's what he has the role model for. Sigh.